News Releases

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after the Senate failed to pass a series of amendments Wednesday evening to reduce gun violence in our communities. Additional amendments will be considered on Thursday.

“After Aurora, after Tucson, after Newtown, and with ongoing gun violence on the streets of cities like Wilmington and Dover, Congress owes it to the American people to take real steps to stop gun violence. I am heartsick over the Senate’s failure to come together today to combat the gun violence that is tearing our communities apart. We must do a better job of enforcing our existing laws, and do more to fight gun trafficking and keep guns out of the hands of criminals and the mentally ill. A thorough and effective background check is something a staggering 86 percent of Americans support, so I just don’t understand how it earned only 54 senators’ votes today. While there is still a potential path forward on expanding background checks, there is no question this is a disappointing day.”